By Brilliant Pongo (Zonet Editor)

This weekend I was spoilt for choice what with top SA Afro/House DJ Fresh doing his thing in Birmingham and Umdumo Wesizwe in the same city. I had to choose one of the two and I went with the latter and I have no regrets.
I hear you ask who the hell is Umdumo Wesizwe? Well, I am glad you ask because they are the hottest Imbube/Igusheshe outfit with eight gifted young man who have great vocal talent straight out of Nkulumane, Bulawayo. The group have created a style of their own transforming Imbube to what they call “Igusheshe.”

I feel this group was not sold to the Zimbabwean community in the UK as well as it should have been. But, then again who am I to say this? My guess is Sabela Music Projects the promotion company that brought them on this their first International tour probably knew/know exactly what they are doing.

Umdumo Wesizwe have been on tour in the UK for the past four months, they played at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival, Edinburgh Fringe, Kendal Festival and a number of other venues across the UK. I caught up with them at the tail end of their UK tour and spoke to the group leader Mqoqi Nkomo.

Asked about the tour Nkomo said “since it is our first international tour I feel it was a learning experience so we believe next time we come back here we will be better positioned and focused for the challenges. This show was just an introduction we will grow in experience with time we will be great.”

They gave a splendid performance at the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC) in Birmingham their well tuned acappella music, which is based on the traditional isicathamiya style of singing which has its origins in the South African gold mines, filled the venue with melodious vibrations and harmonies. The songs were built on dignified call-and-response leading into rolling, repeating three-chord vamps rather than the hooks and contrasts of Western pop.

Umdumo WesizweÂ’s seven backing singers, whose voices blended like organ pipes for deep harmonies, carried the vamps. Eventually, as the harmonies continued, the songs led into dance routines with synchronized moves as well as Pantsula dance moves that are a dance style from the streets of Southern Africa; the singers wore white shoes to show them off.

Mqoqi NkomoÂ’s, singing above the basses of his backing singers, has a sweet, hushed baritone that whispers and swoops and quivers, gentle yet fervent. In the formality of such musical concerts, the songs came across not as jovial workersÂ’ entertainment, but as something more sombre: music that had survived sorrows to find benedictions in the aftermath. The songs took the audience on a rollercoaster of emotions as they told of the stories of social problems and the day-to-day life experiences and expressions of the religious faith, in songs such as (Nguwe Umdali).
The groupsÂ’ performance of the last song of the night titled (Malaika) showcased the groupsÂ’ maturity on stage and got the audience emotional and brought laughter as well.

Asked about how their music is received back in Zimbabwe Nkomo said “people back home appreciate our music but when it comes to CD sales the picture is not as pretty, maybe this is down to the economic conditions. However our sales in the UK especially on this tour have been encouraging and there have been weeks where we have managed to sell over 500 CDs in just a week compared to Zimbabwe were it may take so much as 6months to sell just 5 CDs.'

The group will be working on the recording of their second album, a follow up to Nqingqo their début album, in the next two weeks before they head back to Zimbabwe. Source: ZONET

OCTOBER 17 is the day of action for the Global Campaign Against Poverty (GCAP). It is also the UN day for the eradication of poverty. Hundreds of Voices will be singing from the same new hymn sheet on Oct 17.

Only its not a hymn. The Poverty Requiem is the most vibrant, rhythmic new piece of world music to be sung by ordinary people in over 27 countries all at the same time. It had its world premiere earlier this year in Kenya.

Its about demanding change to world trade systems, justices and democracy in the world?s poorest nations. Thousands of people are singing supported by 153 countries forming the GCAP coalition. They are demanding changes to trade laws that restrict fair trade and exploitation that causes unfair competition. Poverty and greed that leads to wars, over consumption and countless refugees are caused by people. People need to think about the real causes often glossed over by the media. The rich countries consume more and more with little attempt to ensure that everyone gets a ?Fair share? so one of the catchy songs says. Illegal immigration usually has its root causes in unfair trade practices and the disruption caused over 100 years by former colonial powers who maintain their economic interests by proxy.

The host city for the premiere in England is Sheffield. The work by Dutch composer Peter Maissan is turning world music upside down. Spearheaded in Sheffield by Zimbabwean artists Mandla Sibanda and Lungani Sibanda. This is a rare occasion when African born artists lead a large intercultural choir through a complex and eclectic piece of music largely taught and memorised by ear.

The Requiem- implying death to poverty- blends its multiple percussive rhythms and haunting melodies with classical overtones. Supported by Mandla Sibanda?s well established and highly respected intercultural choir SOSA-XA! Sounds of Southern Africa the concerts challenge all kinds of misconceptions about how people in England can engage with Africa and world cultures.

The initiative to bring the work to England has been taken by SEMEA and its coordinator Philip Weiss who spent many years teaching and working in the arts and publishing in Zimbabwe. He is what they call a cultural geographer and likes works that cross cultural spaces. He thinks music is one of very few areas of human endeavour through which a divided society can cross language, cultural and other barriers.

SEMEA fills a cultural vacuum in the education and community arts sector fostering training exchanges with African artist. You too can join in the singing by checking the web site at www.semea.org.uk. The project has been developed with support from Oxfam Novib in Holland. Source:Clickwalla.com

Mitchell Hall, Marischal College
Star Rating: *****

ALAN COOPER

SINGING their entire set from memory, the Christophorus-Jugendkammerchor covered seven languages including Japanese and Hungarian - a real tongue twister of a piece by Kodaly. Their opening motet by Hans Leo Hassler rang as clear as a bell, though more treacherous melodic lines as in Knut Nystedt's Peace I Leave With You tested the choir's ability to keep a firm hold on intonation. Still, their performance was something of a tour de force, and included a glowing Cantique de Jean Racine.

The Boys' Choir from Minsk did not make this year's Festival, so the NYCoS Edinburgh Area Choir came to the rescue with a part repeat of Monday's excellent performance.

Suddenly, up out of Africa like a firestorm came Umdumo Wesizwe from Zimbabwe. Only eight men, but with enough charisma and energy to light up a continent, they took the Mitchell Hall by storm with their gloriously unfettered singing.

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At last came the festival's special guests, Laudibus. They are from a different musical dimension altogether. The 15 singers selected from the National Youth Choir of Great Britain are surely the finest young voices in the country today, and make any music sound like a dream. Sancte Deus by Thomas Tallis and Robert Pearsall's Lay a Garland were both meltingly beautiful, while the vocal acrobatics on Giles Swayne's The Tiglet left me amazed and breathless. John Hearne's wonderfully atmospheric piece The Seagull transported us out of the Mitchell Hall and away to the misty machair.

All that, and Africa again for their encore. Amazing.

Source: The Herald (Scotland)

A Zimbabwean band barred from entering the UK have finally made it to the North-east. Last year Umdumo Wesizwe hoped to play at the Aberdeen International Youth Festival but their bid for a UK visa was turned down. But this year they were given visas allowing them to come to the Granite City.

The documentation was only granted on Monday, meaning a race against time to get to the North-east. They landed in Heathrow on Thursday and drove north for a performance that night. The band played at the World Music Night in Fraserburgh and will be a highlight of the festival finale at His Majesty's Theatre in Aberdeen on August 11.

Lead vocalist Mqoqi Mxhe, 29, said: "It was a surprise that we got to come here. But now we are here at the festival it is so far so good." The band sing songs of love, about hardship and give a commentary on topics such as war and Aids. Their traditional music is known as "imbube" made popular by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Their acapella performance uses styles of Afro pop, jazz, R &B, and reggae. The group's surprise arrival has seen them replace Gambia's Bajaly Suso who had to pull out of this year's programme.

Though the group are new to Aberdeen, director Saimon Phiri first took part in the festival with another band Siyaya in 1995. He said: "It can be hard to get a visa to come from Zimbabwe because there is a lot of trouble there. "The authorities think you are trying to get away. But we just want to do what we are meant to do - make music."

Festival chief executive Stephen Stenning said: "This surprise addition will enhance the festival's diverse and innovative programme." ktaylor@ajl.co.uk
Source: Aberdeeen Evening Express

Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control we have had to change the advertised programme for the event at the Bennachie Leisure Centre, Insch. Despite the loss of Slovenian dance troupe Igen and Belarussian group Dialogues, AIYF is delighted to be able to announce some very special guests from Africa - Umdumo Wesizwe. The arrival of the 8-strong group of dancers and singers from Zimbabwe is a real coup for this yearÂ’s festival.

The event at Insch is not to be missed, and tickets can be bought from the Picardy Tearoom at the Bennachie Leisure Centre and are priced at £6/£3 concessions. For more programme info, visit http://www.aiyf.org

A popular Zimbabwean band has been announced as a surprise addition to the Aberdeen International Youth Festival programme.
Their vocal performance is laced with music styles of Afro Pop, Jazz, R&B, and Reggae. Umdumo Weizwe is the newest accapella sensation to come up out of Zimbabwe. Umdumo Wesizwe has stepped into replace Gambia's Bajaly Suso who was unable to attend the festival this year. Festival Chief Executive Stephen Stenning said:

“We are delighted to welcome such a talented ensemble. This surprise addition will enhance the Festival's diverse and innovative programme.” Umdumo Wesizwe will perform at a number of concerts including the Opening Ceremony, Fraserburgh Gala and the Festival Finale. Read More

One of the best bands to come out of Zimbabwe will be on stage and live at Oldham Carnival's Family Fun weekend at Alexandra Park. The band, Umdumo Wesizwe (below), is the newest accapella sensation to come out of Bulawayo (Zimbabwe's cultural melting pot). They perform "imbube" music (made popular by Ladysmith Black Mambazo) and over the years have created their own style of "imbube" christened "igusheshe". This exciting band will be live on stage on Sunday June 24th as part of a weekend Feast of stage entertainment put on by Oldham carnival organisers this year.The band is one of twenty-four performances on this year's big stage. Dancing groups, rappers, rock bands, theatre groups, solo singers and more will be flashing their talents at the park as part of Fun Weekend.Amongst the performers will be Wild'n'Wicked - a vocal harmony trio who in 2005 impressed the X-Factor judges only to leave the competition at the last fifty stage. Another popular artist will be D-Rydah. Real name Lewis Straughn, he is just sixteen years old and has already won national competitions and has featured in national magazines. "I am currently working on my second mix tape Dark From Day" he says "and am hoping to release it in July. I have colaberated with artists from all over England and artists who have featured on MTV and Chanel U".Source: Oldham Carnival Website

GWANDA - Award winning musician Majahahodwa Ndlovu is spreading his wings, with his first tour outside the country pencilled for South Africa from 28 May to 9 June.Jeys Marabini, as he is known among his fans, said he was very excited about this new development, as it will afford him the opportunity to sell himself outside Zimbabwe.The award-winning star said his first show will be at the official opening of a place called Victory Theatre, in Johannesburg."The people who are promoting the show also said since I will be coming to SA for a show they might as well organise that I perform at other venues. So after the show on 31 May I have three others set for 1, 8 and 9 May in different clubs dotted around Johannesburg. There is also some one who is interested in having us, so we will finalise the details tomorrow (today)," he said.He said before he leaves he will be holding a farewell show at Nkulumane hall on 19 May and rounding it up in Gwanda on 25 May."I am holding the farewell show in Nkulumane because elokitshi is where my biggest support base is. So it will be a way of thanking my fans and also giving the taste of what we will be taking to SA," he said.He said the Nkulumane show will also feature, two dance groups Isida, Iyawa and an Imbube music group, Umdumo Wesizwe.. - CAJ News Agency. Source The Zimbabwean